Pawtucket's Wiley Center holds tent, sleeping bag drive to help homeless

PAWTUCKET — If you are upgrading for an outdoor adventure this summer or, perhaps, leaving your days of camping behind, The George Wiley Center is ready to accept your tents and sleeping bags.

Advocates for Rhode Islanders lacking housing are asking for donations to be dropped off at the center on Wednesdays, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The center is located at 32 East Ave., in Pawtucket.

“I know a sleeping bag isn’t much, a tent isn’t much but it’s better than sleeping on the ground. I feel whatever your situation is, you deserve some type of housing,” said Ruth “Diamond” Madsen, organizer of the tent drive.

Madsen was homeless for years and now advocates for those lacking shelter. She has secured Section 8 housing, but never feels far from being out on the street herself.

“They’re going to die out there. They have nothing,” Madsen said. “Elderly are being put out of their homes.”

According to the state’s Homeless Management Information System, 277 people were living in a place not meant for human habitation at least one night from June 19 through July 2, a number some advocates believe is an under count due to a shortage of outreach workers.

Madsen expressed frustration with the pace it takes to secure housing or a shelter bed once someone finds themselves homeless.

“You keep putting them on a housing list and they’re never going to get housing. Your names are not moving on the intake list,” she said.

According to the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness, 552 people are waiting for shelter beds while 777 people are living in shelters. The average wait time is 34 days.

Anyone interested in donating a tent or sleeping bag, may call Diamond at 332-4588. The center will also accept donations of cash.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Pawtucket's Wiley Center holds tent, sleeping bag drive for homeless